Ukraine's military intelligence warns that Moscow is developing the Rassvet satellite system significantly faster than planned. So far, 16 satellites have been launched, with plans to have 292 by 2027.
Russia is rapidly working on developing its own satellite communication system called Rassvet, which is intended to rival the American Starlink. According to a senior Ukrainian official, Moscow has already launched the first satellites at a pace that exceeds its initial plans.
Major General Vadym Skibitskyi, deputy chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine's Ministry of Defense (HUR), stated in an interview with RBC-Ukraine that Russia is introducing the Rassvet system, which he described as "effectively a Russian analog of the Starlink system."
"Moscow is introducing 'Rassvet', effectively a Russian analog of the Starlink system. And they have started implementing it much faster than their plans had anticipated," Skibitskyi said.
According to Ukrainian intelligence, Russia launched 16 satellites into low Earth orbit in March 2026. This is just the beginning of an ambitious plan that envisions a constellation of 292 satellites by 2027, with the ultimate goal of expanding to 924 satellites by 2035.
Serhii "Flash" Beskrestnov, an advisor to the Ukrainian president on defense technology development, previously reported that Russia had also launched a second batch of Rassvet satellites. As early as May, he noted that the system was in its early development stage and lacked a sufficient number of satellites for full operational capability.
Currently, the system's reach is limited. Skibitskyi explains that the satellites can only operate intermittently, and only when passing over Ukrainian territory. However, the situation will change dramatically once Russia establishes a full satellite network.
"For now, they can operate fragmentarily, when a satellite passes over our territory. When the Russians deploy a full constellation of satellites, this system will function like Starlink," Skibitskyi warned.
The deputy HUR chief also revealed that Ukraine is already actively seeking ways to counter this new threat. "Discussions are already underway on how to fight against it," he added.
The establishment of a fully operational system like Starlink would give Russian forces a significant advantage in battlefield communications, enabling a secure and stable connection independent of ground infrastructure. This could alter the dynamics of the conflict, given that Ukrainian forces have so far held an advantage in using commercial satellite communications.
